I’ve slipped into the habit of buying a green juice, simply because I enjoy the ritual of sitting down at my favorite café and sipping on it while checking my mail and getting to work. However, nothing quite beats a homemade version, when you have absolute control of what goes into the mix and can adapt to your changing mood. This recipe has been my favorite for over a year, and the kick is in the red pepper!

The benefits of green juice are pointless to list because it really is just a panacea. At the core of its benefits is its ability to oxygenate and cleanse the blood, which in turn can cure every system in your body or prevent disease. What better way to start the day?

SLURRRRP!

Makes 16-20 ounces

Ingredients:

5-6 stalks kale

1 bunch of spinach (with the stems that join at the root)

2 carrots

2 large cucumbers

1 whole lemon

1 small apple

1 whole red bell pepper

Directions: Put through a juicer and voila!

Now, it is impossible to consistently strike the right balance, because the size of certain ingredients changes depending on what I have on hand. And, sometime I don’t have the appropriate green or enough cucumbers and carrots. You can sub in celery for cucumber and a pear for the apple. If the kale is too bitter for your tastes, replace it with more spinach. Use this recipe as a foundation, not a rule. The secret behind maintaining the 1-green-juice-per-day ritual is to change it up and keep the recipe interesting for you. You can even experiment with adding more savory elements, like a clove of garlic, or fragrant, like basil and mint or ginger. Have fun!